Mondsee, Austria (The Joy of Food) — Cafe Braun produces delicious strudel off the beaten path in the suburbs of Salzburg.
You will probably get to Mondsee the same way everyone gets there — by way of a Sound of Music tour. Via this method, a pack of Lonely Goatherd-yodeling fans (some would argue crazed idiots) are bussed to sights from the movie in and around Salzburg, including the Mondsee Abbey where the wedding scene between Captain Von Trapp and Maria was filmed.
In that scene, a 35-year-old Christopher Plummer looked mighty fine as Captain Von Trapp in his snug Tyrolean suit, simultaneously scowling and beaming with joy at the altar. What incredible talent. This little cafe in the environs benefits from the tourism still generated by the film today, more than 55 years after its release.
You should come here for the apple strudel, warm and earthy and served with your choice of vanilla sauce or ice cream. The one with the ice cream is just that much more delectable thanks to the temperature variation between the cool vanilla ice cream melting over the warm flaky strudel pastry. This will easily pass as some of the best strudel you’ve ever had. It will also be some of the most expensive.
The cafe is also a cake shop (konditorei) serving cake slices, pies, and other baked goods in addition to breakfast pastries and small lunch offerings.
Do note that service at the cafe can be rushed from the influx of tour visitors. This is just as well since it leaves more time for enjoying the town of Mondsee itself, a lovely little place with multi-colored storefronts and historic architecture.
Written by Joy
Thanks for reading. The Joy of Food blog celebrates eating well, traveling often, and living la dolce vita. San Diego, California is home base, but thoughts are from all over. Reviews and photos help to highlight wonderful (or not) food experiences from around the world.
Leave a comment below or get in touch with me via my About page.